The Fayette Citizen-News Page

Wednesday, January 8, 2003

Fayette's oldest, 'Miss Lizzie' lived in 3 centuries

By CAROLYN CARY
ccary@TheCitizenNews.com

Fayette County's oldest citizen, Elizabeth "Miss Lizzie" McEachern Brown, died Jan. 3, 2003, at the age of 111.

She was born Oct. 11, 1891, in northern Fayette County, the daughter of Pleasant Marion and Frances Hudson McEachern, and grew up on her parents' farm in the Kenwood community. She moved to Fayetteville in 1941, where she died Friday after several months of declining health following a fall last summer. She lived in three centuries. News of her death was carried on CNN.

A graduate of State Normal School, now the University of Georgia, she taught school in Fayette County for a number of years. At one time she was the sole teacher for seven grades at Ebenezer school.

Her father entered the War Between the States at the age of 16, and was a member of Company I, 10th Georgia Regiment, Fayette Rifle Grays. This company saw action in 46 battles.

Because she was the daughter of a Civil War veteran, she was considered a "Real Daughter." The Frankie Lyle Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, made her a member several years ago.

She was married Jan. 1, 1914, to Fayette Countian Marcus Lafayette Brown. He died Jan. 1, 1957. They were the parents of Dorothy B. Brewer, who was also a teacher, Rudene B. Hooten, Willette Brown, and James B. and Shirley Brown. She also leaves four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandsons. She was preceded in death by sons-in-law Jimmy Brewer and Sam Hooten.

Services were Monday at the Fayetteville First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Sam Matthews, the Rev. Charles L. Govenstein, Mark Bowles Jr., and Lamar P. McEachern officiating. Interment was at the Fayetteville City Cemetery.